May you bark with the angels...

Kaydough " Bubba "
Nov. 2000 - Feb. 2009

Dear Kaydough,

I love you so much, and this is so hard. Today will be the day we set you free from your pain, your infections your frustrations, free to run and bark with the angels...

You have been such a blessing to us, you have served your family with nothing but loyalty and love for the past 9 years. You are a inspiration, a friend, a ear to talk to, so much you have been here for and done your part and now its time to do ours.

When we got you out of that box infront of walmart 9 years ago I wouldnt have ever imagined you would be here with us for so much. But with each new curve ball life through at us, you caught it and helped us through. We knew you had some medical issues from the start, and certainly did our best to make you right by medical standards, but that best came at a ultimate price to your health.

Theres only so many times you can use steroids, and medicines to better you before it worsens your system. By all means you have done better than the vet's said you would, and you have served your family to its fullest.

I will never ever forget holding you close, telling you all about my fears, my worries, my anxieties and my pain. Each time I did this you always looked at me with those big brown eyes and just seemed to make everything seem ok, if even for a minute. You are my bubba.

You knew before I did, usually, of impending pain or disaster to me. You let me lean on you in the darkest nights, the coldest winters and the rainest seasons. All 11 miscarriages, all the years of infertility and its agony you were right there to comfort me just like it was an angel itself telling me to keep spreading my own wings. Finally you were there when we got to bring our precious gift from God home. I think you wanted her as much as we did, you werent jelous at all, you welcomed Madaya with all the love and affection you had given to us. Again, like you knew exactly what to do.

It wasnt all bad times you were there for kaydough, we had so many good times! When you were a lil pup we got sooooo mad at you. Frustrated and down right tired of you. You were naughty and wouldnt house train for the life of us, then one day I got down on the floor with you and was lecturing you about your " naughties " you just rolled over onto your back, kicking your legs in the air and making the cutest of sounds, as if it all seemed so small at that minute that nothing else mattered and you were our bubba and just needed time.

It wasnt long before you showed us you were in deed a smart, good boy. You were always willing to EAT, SLEEP AND GO!! you loved chasing balls, hanging your head out the car window and always loved to be the center of attention.

We moved to Vader, Washington into our new home and you were thrilled. You became the Vader Lion's club mascot with your cute lil lions costume I made you and were beyond happy to be in the town parade each year. The kids and people around town knew you and always stopped to say hello if we were out and about.

One of our favorite memories is when we were going to town in Chehalis, we had brought you with us, Daddy and I stopped for lunch, Chinese. Daddy always orders spicy food, and this day was no different. At the end of our meal we boxed up the left overs, put them in the car, and ran our errands as planned. You hadnt gotten in to much before hand so we didnt think about it, we got out of the car, into the store - and returned 30 minutes later to find you totally drooling, sweating, crying. You had eaten ALL of daddy's spicy food. It was so sad, and we wanted to be so mad, but it was hallariously funny! This is what made you bubba! You never did it again... ever.

You have 2 sisters. Kaydee and Kia. You've tought them both so well, and I think that you learned a little from them as well. Before Kaydee you were a loving boy, but didnt really wanna love on anything/anyone but us. When Kaydee came you took her in loved her, and tought her all she needed, while she tought you to slow down and love anyone more. Maybe its cause you were affraid people liked kaydee more?! Silly boy....

When we added kia to the family, you werent as impressed, but in these last few months you have been grooming her, I beleive to take your place. Your place to care for us, be our happiness, our joy and our friend. Youve done a good job, but its not going to be the same.

These last few months have taken their toll on you and we dont want you to be in pain anymore. Your biting people, and getting moody because your in pain so much - and thats not you. After you do something like that you feel so bad and try so hard to make sure we know its not " you ". Kaydough, we know. Your a good boy.

We took you to the park yesterday to watch you play one last time, and it was heart wrenching as you wouldnt even run straight. Through the pain you tried to play though and it confirmed to me with that roll in the snow, and last return of the ball that you know and are ready to be set free from these leashes of pain. We made special treats with peanut butter because you love peanut butter, and have taken lots of photos with you.

So, kaydough this is our goodbye boy, you have done so well.

Thank you so much for showing us how to love, listen and care for others, thats exactly what youve done.

You are loved by so many, and your passing is sure to hit hard for all of us.

Run boy... go, go bark with the angels.

We will see you again soon!